Chinese scientists on the latest Antarctic expedition have - for the first time - discovered the presence of microplastics in Antarctic waters, reports cctv.com.

Microplastic are pieces of plastic less than 5 mm in size. Microplatics are quickly becoming a major source of marine pollution.

Chinese scientists are warning the presence of microplastics in the polar ocean is a reflection of the widespread distribution of the environmental scourge.

A scientist observes microplastics with a microscope in Antarctica. [Photo: cctv.com]

The annual global production of plastics exceeds more than 300 million tons, about 10% which enters the sea.

Microplastics affect marine life, destroy marine ecologies and ultimately threaten humans.

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